Categorized as: TECHNIQUE

The overhead squat is a punk. It is one lift that vexes many new CrossFitters and weightlifters alike. Arms collapse, knees come forward, you go up on your toes, and sometimes it feels like your back muscles are about to snap.

You need a strong overhead squat for one reason – to complete the snatch. Although we use it in CrossFit workouts all the time, in reality, the overhead squat is simply one of the elements of a properly executed snatch. In order to snatch heavier weight, you need to be comfortable coming out of the hole with a lot of weight over your head. So we train the overhead squat in both CrossFit and weightlifting.

But as I said, this movement can be difficult and frustrating for many athletes early in their careers. And it’s not an easy one to coach because while as an athlete I may know the nuanced mechanics that have helped me master the movement, those cues are sometimes difficult to transfer to a beginner. It takes lots of practice with light to progressively heavier weights in order to get comfortable with this lift.

So in order to help both you and myself with the coaching of this lift, I assembled some highly regarded coaches from around the country and posed this question: “My overhead squat sucks. How can I fix it?”Read More…

There are a lot of benefits of pullups. I could literally go on about the importance of this exercise all day, but today I’m going to talk about the top 6 benefits and I’m also going to give you a few tips on how to do more pullups.

Benefit #1: Convenience

Pullups are one of the most convenient exercises around. You can do this exercise pretty much anywhere. All you need is a bar and your body.

When I first started working out I took a metal pole that I found in the garbage and hung it my laundry room. Voila!

Sidenote: Don’t use a metal pole you find in the garbage… You can buy an inexpensive pullup bar that latches safely unto your door frame. Click here to buy an awesome pull up bar that you can use anywhere.

Benefit #2: Fundamental Compound Upper-body Exercise

I’ve stressed the importance of compound exercises in the past. Compound exercises are important because they target multiple muscle groups and trigger a release of growth hormone.

I’ve also talked about squats and what a great lower-body muscle building exercise they are.

Think of it this way – Pullups are to your upper body what squats are for your legs.

There is no other excise that will make your upper body grow quite like pullups. Specifically, pullups do a great job of targeting the back and biceps.

Q: What do you see when you look at the physique of an Olympic male gymnast?

A: You probably didn’t have to look very hard to notice those insane triceps attached to a mountain of a shoulder, and of course, a set of rippling abs. Despite their impressive development, though, gymnasts don’t lift weights. They do, however, use their own body weight as resistance, and while it would be difficult to replicate many of the gymnasts’ signature moves in a conventional gym, there is one you can do that will target your triceps and abs like no other exercise: the L-sit.

The L-sit hold is a deceptively brutal exercise with benefits that go beyond merely the visual. Not only will this exercise help fill out your sleeves and chisel your abs, it will improve the health of your shoulders, help you with your deadlift, and build functional core strength as well. How do you do it? The L-sit hold is best done on a pair of parallettes. They look like a tiny version of parallel bars (hence the name) you’d find in a gymnasium or outdoor park. Most CrossFit gyms will have a few of them lying around, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one in a commercial gym. However, nearly every gym has dip bars, and you can even do L-sits on a pair of pushup bars, on kettlebells, yoga blocks, or even on a pair of benches. You just need two sturdy and secure platforms of the same height that will lift your butt off the ground when you lock your arms pushing down in between them.

To perform an L-sit, position yourself between the parallettes, set shoulder-width apart. Using a firm, neutral grip, push your body off the ground, locking your elbows as if you’re at the top of a dip exercise. Make sure to keep your shoulders down as you lock your knees and hold your legs together tightly, forming a 90-degree angle with your torso. Your legs should be parallel to the ground. Now hold…and hold…keep going. Is it at least 20 seconds yet?

OTHER VARIATIONS

So your first attempt at an L-sit made you feel like a little girl. You can work your way up by trying the following intermediary variations.

Chair L-Sit
You will need a dip station or something higher than most parallettes for this easier version of an L-sit. It’s the same as a regular L-sit, except your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle. You’ll look like you’re sitting in an invisible chair in the end position. Read More…

The program is structured in a way that maintains 4 fundamental areas of fitness, focusing on one per week, but always has new workouts and conditioning sets. I look forward to every week, and love the versatility of movements and skills we focus on. The coaches are all very dedicated, and encourage all of us with positivity rather than pressure or aggression. Great gym!

Masters Class is amazing! I am 67 years old and after a pretty sedentary life, started cross fit about 2 years ago. When I moved to Naples this past fall - I discovered CrossFit Naples Masters Class and love everything about this experience. Great facility, wonderful coach and enthusiastic exercise mates. Every move is explained and demonstrated for correct form and with an eye to keeping you safe while giving you a good workout! I have lost a total of 15 pounds in 6 months and feel and look healthier and more fit.

Dropped in for a class while on vacation. A great and fun workout with positive coaches who provide solid feedback and encouragement throughout. The gym is clean and well-equipped, and the owners have done a great job building the community. If you live in or near Naples, or are looking for a box to drop in while around, this is your place. Thanks for a great day!

CrossFit Naples is truly a wonderful community. I joined this box last year with next-to-zero athletic training and low confidence in my abilities, but also a desire to succeed and invest in my body and my lifestyle. The coaches (Kirk and Mario, especially) returned that investment two-fold and have guided me on my path to fitness, both physical and mental. I absolutely recommend this facility to anyone looking for a positive experience with a gym, either for the first time or as a seasoned athlete. Thanks, CFN!

I waited just over 3 months to give this gym a review because I wanted to really make sure they deserve the rating I am giving them- and they really do. If I could give more stars I would. CrossFit Naples is top-notch and extremely caring about its people; newly welcomed, drop ins, and even long time members. The owner, Mario, is an awesome coach, a humble leader, and a born natural- he could do it with his eyes closed. He's also a new father to a beautiful little boy who you can tell he loves so much. The Coaches Kirk, Miles, and Luke are like the heart and soul of this place- they are awesome at what they do and only want you to succeed. They know so much about fitness it's like having a personal trainer by your side. Every class they go over in full detail and demonstrate what we will be doing. They constantly correct form and do some really effective stretching techniques that target the muscles we'll be working on. It's definitely not the stereotypical meat-head gym with a bunch of wild crazies swinging from bar to bar like some other gyms. It has a community feel every class, every time. Now some info about me- I'm 30 years old, a husband, and a father of 2 young boys with very little exercise experience. When I first joined CrossFit Naples, I had zero knowledge of CrossFit and what it was all about. I barely knew what to do with dumbbells or a barbell. I weighed 160 pounds and exercised maybe twice a month on my own (which involved less than a mile of running and very few push-ups and sit-ups). When I joined this gym, I decided to not do anything other than what they told me and see what sort of results I get in 3 months. So I averaged 4 to 5 days a week there with not much change in my diet except cutting out a few unnecessary carbs and consuming more healthy protein. In that time, I lost 3% body fat and have some great muscle gains. I feel like a different person and it's only been 3 months. I can't say enough good things about this place. I never thought I'd be able to get myself up every morning to exercise, but I actually look forward to it. I'm so glad I found them, and I'm looking forward to the next 3 months. I hope this helps anyone who is on the fence about which CrossFit gym in Naples to try, because this one by far, feels like home.

I joined CrossFit Naples during my long winter break from college. I already had a decent amount of fitness experience but I ended up learning a ton of new movements and workouts that I can use while back at school. The coaches are fantastic and the classes are small enough to offer individual attention. The facility is great, has plenty of equipment, and is nice and clean. I particularly enjoyed that they offered extensive open gym hours, so I could workout on what I wanted outside of classes.

I'm a longtime weightlifter with some serious functionality and flexibility issues. Coach Kirk has been working with me over the past couple of months to help rebuild what I've screwed up. Even with up to 11 other people in the class, he always takes time to coach me personally. I'm starting to unlock my strength beyond simple iron throwing. I'm becoming functional. I cant recommend it enough.

Excellent gym. Yes they are a crossfit affiliate, but they distinguish themselves by hiring great coaches and teaching safe and effective form and range of motion. You warm-up, practice strength and power lifts and then condition to get your heart rate up. The wods always leave me ready to tackle the day!

I've been a member at Naples Strength and Conditioning for about a year now, and the quality of the coaching and community is absolutely fantastic. I refused to try CrossFit for several years before stepping through their doors, and was immediately welcomed with open arms. Knowing almost nothing about many of the movements and philosophy behind CrossFit, they really helped me grow and develop as an athlete, without just throwing me over to the weights and telling me to get going. Mario and the other coaches have truly become part of my family, and I would recommend them to anyone!

Dropped in for and early morning Friday Wod. Skill work, strength work and a quick 9 min conditioning wod to finish it off. Super fun and efficient with a knowledgeable coach (Mario) who coached the entire time! Shout out to Coco (a member) who made me feel most welcome! See you all next year when I’m back in town!

Naples Strength and Conditioning is the BEST place in Naples for training. The coaches are knowledgeable, encouraging and FUN!! The owner Mario is hard working, kind and passionate about what he does. This if reflected in all aspects of this gym from personal training to Crossfit and other classes. If you want to experience great results and be educated on how to do it - this place is for you!

I'm in Naples for a few days on business. Contacted Naples Strength and Conditioning via their website on the weekend to ask some questions and Mario got back to me right away. He called me on a Saturday and answered all my question in a real customer care fashion. I then dropped in on Monday for a morning session and Coach Luke was just outstanding....he coached the entire time and did a great job making me feel welcome. The entire class was welcoming. I will be back a few more times while I'm here. Great work outs, great environment and very welcoming. Thank you for making being away from home a little less like being away from home.

Our Mission & Vision

We are a community oriented, results driven fitness facility committed to creating lifelong fitness.

We see our company as a community centered fitness facility. Our friendly membership base allows for our members and staff to consistently offer a non-threatening atmosphere to train. Above the superior professionalism that we maintain we believe safety to be number one on our list. We strive to continue to offer programs and services that can help our clients reach not just their health and fitness related goals but their life goals as well. While always reminding our clients to keep training fun.